Kenny Burrell Handcrafted

The second of two CD reissues of a jam session led by guitarist Kenny Burrell features the talented if forgotten trumpeter Louis Smith, both Junior Cook and Tina Brooks on tenors, pianist Bobby Timmons (Duke Jordan was on the first volume), bassist Sam Jones and drummer Art Blakey. The all-star group performs two standards ("Caravan" and the guitarist's feature on "Autumn in New York"), Sam Jones's "Chuckin'" and Burrell's "Rock Salt." This is excellent music that easily fits into the bop mainstream of the period.

Kenny Burrell - Guitar Forms (1965) {Verve Master Edition 521 403-2 rel 1997}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 433 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 179 Mb
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© 1965, 1997 Verve / PolyGram | Verve Master Edition 521 403-2
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Progressive Jazz / Big Band / Guitar

Though the jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell is associated mostly with Blue Note-based hard bop and soul-jazz (he had a hit with the funky "Chile con Carne"), he is also a musician of considerable artistry. Witness his landmark 1965 collaboration with Gil Evans, Guitar Forms, which rivals anything the arranger did with Miles Davis. Indeed, the track "Lotus Land" has a bolero form very reminiscent of Sketches of Spain.

Recorded 1956-1957. Although the original LP was reissued under guitarist Kenny Burrell's name, it was originally led by Frank Wess, who is heard doubling on flute and tenor. With the assistance of Burrell, rhythm guitarist Freddie Green, bassist Eddie Jones and either Kenny Clarke or Gus Johnson on drums, Wess is in excellent form on a set very reminiscent (not too surprisingly considering the personnel) of the Count Basie band. Wess contributed four of the songs, Burrell brought in "Southern Exposure" and the quintet also plays "Over the Rainbow" and the obscure "Woolafunt's Lament." This is a fine straightahead date, with Wess's flute taking solo honors.

Kenny Burrell - Generation, Live at the Village Vanguard (1987) {Blue Note CDP 7467562 rec 1986
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 326 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 164 Mb
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© 1987 Blue Note / Capitol / Manhattan Records | CDP 7 46756 2
Jazz / Cool / Post Bop / Guitar

Kenny Burrell is a jazz guitar icon and probably the better known of the three members of the group but don't let that bother you because all three are on fire through out this live recording from start to finish. I once had this rare recording on cassette but was glad to find it here on cd. Thanks Amazon. Bobby Broom along with Rodney Jones are some of the best of the newer breed of jazz guitarist and are both masters of the jazz guitar.

Kenny Burrell - Lotus Blossom (1995) {Concord Jazz CCD-4668}
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© 1995 Concord Jazz | CCD-4668
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Guitar

Strange as it seems, the main criticism about this CD and about Kenny Burrell's playing during the past couple decades is that he is often overly tasteful. On this set (which has six unaccompanied guitar solos, four duets with bassist Ray Drummond, and three trio numbers with Drummond and drummer Yoron Israel), Burrell is so loving of the melodies that he adds very little of himself other than his beautiful tone. Although the tunes are superior, none of these versions are definitive and the mellow results rarely rise above the level of background music.

Tin Tin Deo is a typically tasteful set by guitarist Kenny Burrell. Performing in a sparse trio with bassist Reggie Johnson and drummer Carl Burnette, Burrell plays boppish and swinging versions of his own blues "The Common Ground," Erroll Garner's playful "La Petite Mambo," and six jazz standards. Nothing particularly surprising occurs but Burrell is heard throughout in above-average form and this release should please his fans.